The ultimate summer backpacking gear guide for newbies

Trekking is the ultimate adventure, especially in the summer when days are long and the weather up in the mountains feels perfect. But optimizing the trip takes proper planning and the right gear — being unprepared is the fastest way to ruin the journey for yourself and everyone in your group. You’re going to need additional gear than you would for a typical day hike, including multiple layers of clothing, camping supplies, and food. But if you’ve never gone backpacking before and agreed to join your buddies without knowing what you were getting into, never fear: we’ve compiled the ultimate gear guide for beginning trekkers.

When planning for your trip, take note of the fact that every trek is different in certain ways. On guided treks, the host company should offer a list of required materials, along with some additional comfort items or specialty gear they’d recommend. They may even offer rentals of certain items that are tough to take on a plane, such as trekking poles or crampons. On unguided hikes, it’s up to you to know what you need. This list will get you set up for success no matter where you’re heading this summer. Everything here can be purchased online or at a quality outdoor outfitter.

The basics

Trekking backpack

If you’re spending at least one night in the woods, you need to have a worthy pack to carry your sleeping gear, food, and everything else that’s coming with you. Get a rugged pack that’s built for the backcountry, and at least 45 liters in size. For multi-day trips, a 55-70 liter pack such as the Osprey Atmos AG 65 will do you right. Make sure the pack includes a reservoir for a water bladder, such as a CamelBak (see below). If you do buy a pack online, we recommend buying it from a retailer with a physical location you can visit to have it properly adjusted to your body, such as REI.

Tent

If you’re camping on your trek and not staying in guest houses, a good tent with a rainfly is mandatory. A one or two person tent is the best option, as its small for packing into your backpack and easy to set up. Before heading out, double check to make sure you have the stakes and poles needed to set the tent up, and put them directly back into the storage bag each morning when breaking down camp. Mountainsmith’s Morrison 2 makes for a great beginner trekking tent.

Sleeping bag

Few things are more frustrating than not getting a decent night’s sleep when a big day of hiking is in front of you. A good sleeping bag makes all the difference. Step one when choosing one is to check the temperature rating, which is typically be found both on any packaging that the bag is in at the store, as well as on the tag in the bag itself. Be sure you’re bringing a sleeping bag that is appropriate for the summer season and weather expected on the trip (remember that just because it’s 90 degrees during the day, doesn’t mean it won’t plummet to below 50 at night). The Western Mountaineering UltraLite is a great option, but no matter which bag you end up choosing, consider the following:

A solid three-season bag will do the trick for most adventures, as long as the temperature rating is good to 20 degrees Fahrenheit.

Down insulation is the lightest and most efficient insulation on the market. If you have the choice between this and polyester, go with down.

Splurge for a sleeping bag that’s waterproof. You don’t want to wake up in the middle of the night with a soaking wet back if it rains and water gets into the tent.

Mummy, semi-rectangular, or rectangular? This is personal preference as much as anything else. Mummy bags are tight and warm, but don’t allow much wiggle room. Rectangular bags are more versatile for those who have a tough time sleeping in a still position. If you’re somewhere in between, a semi-rectangular shape is a happy medium.

Inside the pack

A well-prepared trekker has researched the trip, read forums and comments, and taken note of what previous hikers have brought with them on the journey. In your research, you’ll likely find comments along the lines of, “I wish we’d brought this” or “I was so glad I had enough of that.” Look for patterns – when multiple people discuss the same item, it’s a pretty good sign that you should load it up. Here are some of our go-to specialty gear.

Jetboil MightyMo Cooking System

Jetboil’s burner connects easily to the small 3.5 oz fuel tank and allows you to heat food over an open flame in the middle of nowhere. It is guaranteed to work in temperatures down to 20 degrees Fahrenheit, allowing you to heat up a much-needed warm meal when camping even if it gets unexpectedly chilly.

Water purifier

Grab a Sawyer Mini Water Filter for your trek and enjoy drinking from freshwater streams. An actual filter system is beneficial as it purifies the water more thoroughly than simpler tools like filtration straws, which don’t do as good of a job at removing toxins and bacteria. That said, always take caution in drinking water from the source, and never drink still water.

Headlamp

Illuminate the night with a headlamp from Black Diamond. If you’ve got a good book with you or just want to have a look at the trail map to route tomorrow’s hike, a headlamp is just as useful inside the tent as it is outside.

Compass and clinometer

A reliable compass is a great hiking companion. This one from Advantage comes with a clinometer, used to measure the degree of slope, in case your crew gets into a heated discussion about how steep the forthcoming trail or summit push is.

Topographical map and trail map

A topographical map shows altitude gain and loss along with detailed terrain features over a specific area. They can be tough to read at first, but once you get the hang of it you’ll never want to head into the mountains without a topo map again. A trail map of the area where you’re heading is also mandatory — don’t count on Google to save you.

Morakniv Companion heavy duty knife

It’s incredible how often a good knife comes in handy in the wilderness — everything from cooking to making a fire to quick repairs is made easier. If you’ve got a Swiss Army Knife, bring it. If not, this Morakniv Companion knife will do the trick.

First aid supplies

A small first aid kit is always worth making room in your pack for. Adventure Medical Kits comes with everything you’ll need to treat a minor inconvenience as well as a quick guide to tips and tricks for field use.

Hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen

Groundpad

No one wants to sleep with a rock jabbing into their back. That’s where a Moosejaw groundpad comes in. When not in use, it rolls up and straps to the side of your pack. This portable ‘mattress’ makes sleeping in the wilderness much more bearable.

CamelBak water bladder

The easiest way to cart and drink water is with a CamelBak bladder. They fill easily from a faucet or from your water purifier and allow you to drink water as needed without having to stop and unzip your pack or reach around for a water bottle each time.

Handheld GPS

Without cellphone service, a handheld GPS unit like this one from Garmin is the best way to find yourself if you lose the trail or need any directional assistance. If on a guided trek, or with someone who has one, you don’t necessarily need your own. But if you plan to make trekking a regular activity, this is a good item to have on your list.

Trekking poles

They look an awful lot like ski poles, but are compatible and can be strapped to the side of your pack when not in use. Trekking poles are the grown-ups version of a hiking stick and are useful in particular when heading down the mountain as they absorb some of the shock and pressure put on your knees with each step. Trekking poles are also great for balance at any point during the hike. Black Diamond offers a collection of great options ranging in price from $99 and up.

Edibles

No, we don’t mean the fun kind. Basics like granola bars and apples are cheap and easy to eat on the go. Bring them, of course, but protein and calorie boosts are essential on multi-day treks. Here are some ideas to get you started.

Peanut butter is an easy-to-pack protein that is cheap and fills you up. Plus, it’s high in calories — a must for trekking.

Trail mix earned its name for a reason — it’s a great energy boost and easy to carry.

Nuts. And more nuts. Protein. Calories. Protein. Calories.

Patagonia Provisions campfire meals. Patagonia offers a range of easy-to-prep hot meals designed for cooking and consumption in the wilderness. They’re delicious, full of protein, and come in small packages which fit easily into your pack.

Red beans and rice is a classic campfire meal. Quick, easy, and filling, this meal provides both protein and carbs to get you powered up for the next day.

Tortillas are great for trekking because they travel much better than a loaf of bread. They can be packed compactly in your backpack — just don’t fold them.

Clothes

Outer layer

When selecting your outer layers, think waterproof and wind resistance. Comfort is also a factor, particularly with boots.

Water-repellant shell layer jacket

In the high country, weather can turn on a dime, turning a beautiful morning into a drizzly afternoon in what seems like an instant. You’ll be miserable (and soaking wet) if you’re hiking in a sweatshirt. Get yourself a water-repellant shell layer to throw on over your base layer. Patagonia’s Torrentshell is appropriate for most summer backcountry situations.

Hiking boots

This is probably the most important purchase to make in-store versus online. When buying hiking boots, look for two things: comfort and support (ankle coverage is a must). Read some reviews before making a purchase, because often the best hiking boots are super stiff when you try them on. Boots tend to get more comfortable as you break them in, and over time will conform to your feet. Merrell makes great trail boots. Invest in a quality pair and they’ll reward you with years of heavy use. If you’ve procrastinated and you don’t have time to break a sturdy pair in, opt for a lighter shoe with more flexibility.

Trekking pants

Depending on altitude, season, and location, pants do you more good than shorts. This is in part due to protection from wind and water, and in part because long pants prevent scratches from branches and plants. You want something that won’t tear, is wind resistant, flexible, lightweight, and comfortable. The Ferrosi Pants from Outdoor Research are a great option for men. PrAna makes a great pair for women, with options in multiple colors.

Base layers

When selecting base layers, think comfort, flexibility, and thickness. Base layer items are generally divided into three categories: lightweight, midweight, and heavyweight. Midweight is a general best practice for beginners and three-season trekking, particularly if you plan to head above treeline where wind can be quite ferocious. In general, the thicker the layer, the better it protects against cold.

Thermal underwear

Thermal underwear serves to wick moisture and sweat, and also provides added warmth for cold nights and inclement weather. The two most common materials are polyester and merino wool. Avoid silk underwear as it’s not odor resistant and doesn’t wick moisture as well as the other two. Lightweight options are good here as you’ll have other layers on top. Under Armour specializes in thermal base layers, with options for both men and women.

Base layer top

A thin, flexible merino wool top such as this one from SmartWool is perfect for wearing underneath your jacket and/or t-shirt. It will wick moisture, protect against wind, and is super flexible and comfortable. You’ll need at least two under layers to wear underneath your jacket shell if it gets cold, and a base layer top should be one of them. If your shell has an underlayer, this can be worn directly underneath it. A comfortable fleece, like this one from Patagonia, can work in between the two.

SmartWool hiking socks

SmartWool offers both men’s and women’s socks built with merino wool and designed specifically for trail use. There are plenty of other options, but keep in mind that you’ll be wearing hiking boots and need socks that rise up to near or slightly above the top of the boot to prevent rubbing.

Comfortable campsite clothes and shoes

A pair of gym shorts or yoga pants will do the trick for relaxing post-hike and wearing to sleep. Taking off your hiking boots at the end of a long day is among the most satisfying experiences involved in backpacking, and the idea here is to have something comfortable to change into at the campsite or guest house. Also, make sure you have lightweight shoes to wear around the campsite so you don’t have to live in those heavy boots.

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